teitler



June 12, 1956 R. J. TEITLER 2,749,912

SANITARY GARMENTS Filed Feb. 21, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. RUTH J.TEITLER ATTORNEY June 12, 1956 R. J. TEITLER 2,749,912

' SANITARY GARMENTS Filed Feb. 21, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

RUTH J. TEITLER W/ W2:

ATTORNEY June 12, 1956 R. J. TEITLER SANITARY GARMENTS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed Feb. 21, 1955 FIG. 11

INVENTOR.

BYRUTH J. TEITLER 49b TTORNEY FIG. 10

United States Patent SANITARY GARMENTS Ruth J. Teitler, Philadelphia,Pa.

Application February 21, 1955, Serial No. 489,400

6 Claims. (Cl. 128-484) This invention relates generally to garmentconstructions, and is particularly directed to ladies garments of thetype adapted for use both as a pantie and as a sanitary belt.

The particular embodiment of the present invention,

which is illustrated in the drawings, and which will be de scribedhereinafter in greater detail, comprises generally an upper pantie partor section adapted to encircle the waist of the wearer and depend towardthe crotch region, an elongated crotch piece or lower section shaped toconformably engage the crotch of the wearer, and means detachablysecuring the crotch piece to the upper pantie portion to hold the crotchpiece in proper position.

Heretofore, as is generally well known, sanitary garments, such as beltsand panties for use during menstruation, were subject to numerousdifliculties and disadvantages. For example, prior garments of thisgeneral type were relatively bulky and uncomfortable in the crotchregion of the wearer, often requiring the use of metallic or otherfasteners having protruding parts sometimes bearing directly against thewearers skin. Moreover, many previous sanitary garments required the useof conventional safety pins, which in reality are not safe at all, butreadily subject to inadvertent opening when in use, thus exposing thesharp point to the users person.

Prior sanitary garments generally served only the single purpose of useduring menstruation, were bulky and inconvenient to carry in a handbag,as when its use is expected; and, it was a diflicult and time consumingpro cedure to don prior garments and to properly adjust the same, bothwhen a napkin is initially employed and when it is changed or replaced.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to providean improved sanitary garment construction of the type described whichovercomes the above mentioned difliculties, which alfords maximumcomfort when in use, both during menstruation and otherwise, wherein thecrotch piece is of minimum size and bulk so as to be inconspicuous inuse and readily foldable to occupy but negligible space for ease ofportability in a handbag or pocket, and which can be quickly and easilyput on and properly adjusted, and enables the wearer to neatly changenapkins in a relatively short time.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sanitarypantie having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in theforegoing paragraph, which is completely safe to use, requiring no pinsor other sharp securing devices, which permits of changing a napkinwithout removing the garment, and which insures retention of the napkinin its proper position of use under all conditions of body movement,without binding the wearers person or imposing undue strains on thegarment.

' It is another object of the present invention to provide a sanitarygarment of the type described, having the novel features mentionedhereinbefore, and which includes a highly improved sanitary napkinadapted for use "ice with the garment. The instant invention furthercontemplates the provision of leg shields adapted for protectiveengagement with the inner sides of the wearers legs.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide asanitary pantie or the type described which is simple and durable inconstruction and use, which effectively accomplishes its intendedobjects, and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings,which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a woman wearing a sanitary garment constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view showing the garment of the presentinvention, with its crotch piece in attached or closed condition;

Fig. 3 is a front view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the crotch piecein an open condition depending from the rear of the garment;

Fig. 4 is a partial front view, similar to Fig. 2, but broken away toillustrate the front napkin securing means of the instant invention;

Fig. 5 is a partial, rear view, broken away to show the rear napkinsecuring means;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view showing a crotch piece of the presentinvention adapted for use during the menstrual period, the crotch piecebeing removed from the upper pantie section;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along theline 77 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view showing a crotch piece of the presentinvention, removed from the upper pantie section, the crotch piece beingadapted for ordinary use during non-menstrual periods;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along theline 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a partial view showing a woman wearing a slightly modifiedform of sanitary garment constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, and including protective shields for the wearers legs;

Fig. 11 is a front elevational view, somewhat enlarged, showing theembodiment of Fig. 10 in greater detail;

Fig. 12 is a front elevational view showing the embodiment of Figs. 10and 11, with the crotch piece open and depending from the back of theupper pantie section;

Fig. 13 is a top plan view showing the crotch piece of Figs. 10-l2 apartfrom the upper pantie section, and with the sanitary napkin removedtherefrom, to better illustrate its construction;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 14-14 ofFig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a front elevational view showing a slightly modified form ofsanitary pantie constructed in accordance with the present invention;and

Fig. 16 is a plan view, partially broken away, illustrating the improvedsanitary napkin of the present invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically toFigs. 1-7 thereof, the embodiment of the invention illustrated thereincomprises a sanitary pantie, generally designated 20, including an upperpantie part or section 21 adapted to girdle :the hips of a wearer, see

I Fig. 1, and a lower pantie section or crotch piece 22 ex- 3 tendingthrough the erot chof the wearer and releasably se'ciire'd' 'tofo'i'wardand rearwardgarfiahs "er" mefims'er section.

rear eein'ral'fpoi n t th wai tband. The lpeneftraps maybe fabricated ofany s pe'ias esi Secured etrcunfferentially*along thewaistb'and 24fis acovering 27 which depend thevi ai's'tb'afid' "to the flea refs" hips;and preferably n icated of onventfbnahunderwear material or other siiitl'e' hin, swarm ng; iiiaterial. *'Stated otherwise, *th lup er dge'membrane bbtIy' jcOVeri ng' 'ZT is ferentially along the waistbandq f;asby suitable means and advantageously wrapp waistband to provide theupper pantie seated with a smodthinterior. p t

"The edge portion bf th bod ering 27 is 'eut to Wee-reta iating; and islso haped td Ieave the crotch region open. As best seen Fig? thefroi1t*suspe'fidei straips 25, 25eonvergedbwnwardsjbeing preferablystfd'ied by -sfitching"or other suitabl rneansi to the adjacenhportionsof the body covering 27,"='ar'id hav thir wer edds" terminating atflthelower edge bf-"the 6dy ddvring l'oi wardlyof the' crotchregion. Ihe rearuspender straps 26, 26 also converge downwardwsee-F miflfli'ng' at thelower edge 'of the rear centralfport'ibn of the body covering 27 andarepreferably 'sti tdhed -or amerwiaerseeuredao the' adjacent'portionsof the latter.

lxwnding between the lower ends of thefront -sus pander -s'traps'" 25,25; and laterally :tlrerebeyondf I laterally disposed front connectormember 28. More spen ctfieally; the' fi'ront connector me'rn'berextends' laterally "between the lower ends ofthefront"suspender'strapslbin fixedly "secured i to the latter, has itsopp'o'sitw 'eiids disposed-laterally outwards of the front Suspenderstraps;'-and is s ecured,"by any suitable means,-=along= the lowet edgeof the from central region of the covering-27.

Arrear connectorstr'ap-"29 is similarly disposed laterally extendingbetween and beyond-the-lower ends of there'ar suspender straps 26, 26being-secured to the latter and aloag the lower edge ofthe rear centralcovering portion... 'Ifheponneetor members 28 and- 29 may be formd ofany suitable flexible tape,-a s-desired.

gsecurqdto'the front suspended straps 25; 25 adjacent to and:gpaoedabove the lower ends thereof,- area pair of bgtt on s lfl 3 1, orother suitablefastening elements dist riqi y 9.54 c e 21.- '.-T. rpotions the front-Suspender straps 25, 2 5, -and the;.'spaced of thefront;ddn-neet rmemberlfi secured to the iron suspender straps areformed to define aerpair-of b ir'ttpiiholesffl,SZ orother fastenerelementssuitable for; purposes appearing presently. I up AS seen infig 5therear suspender straps-26; Zt i are provided; repeeti'vel witheXteriorfast efier elementsBS, QQ u h as buttonsor the like, disposed-adjacentto-aiid spseeeabqve thelbwer depends. "j Wifl the lo'w of the rear'sus'p'eiider straps the; ip aians'" L 65 rear connector memberZ91s''cured to The" litter straps 'are @IVldttf wftlilitittohlioles''3'? or" other equivalent-fastener ans.

Extending along the right leg opening of the body sever- RB ifco'rtespondiiig to theiight-legopeningthereoff" 'firld'sktitclredor otherwisesecured tothe rightrelativel Set ward ends of the front and rearconnectors 28 and 29.

"Ajiffil'lftlg band "37 is' similarly secured along the lower edgeportion of the covering 27 corresponding to the left leg opening, andhas its opposite ends stitched or otherwise secured to the leftward endsof the front and rear connector members 28 and 29. For purposes ofdurability and comfort, it is preferred that the lower edge portions ofthe body covering 27 be rolled or wrapped about the connector-members-2$and- 29,-and the partial leg bands 36 and 37, and subsequently stitchedto the connector membersand'partial leg bands. "At the junctures of thepartial leg bands and the front connector memb'er' 28, 'eXteriorly ofthe body' covering'27,"are provided a pair of fastener elements 39, 39,shown for purposes of illustration as buttons. A pair of buttons 40, 40,or other suitable fastener elements are also secured to the junctures ofthe rear connector member 29 and the 30 general Ni-shaped"configurationfat'each-end of the crotch'pi ce. Thedistalends of' the'tabs -44, m ate th at pair" of rename-elements or biit nholes while thev adjacent" portion of the Y crotch-piece is v'itir an additional pairof fa'st'ener elenients or buttonholes 47} 47 's'pacedIaterally'outwards from -thel tab end buttonholes. The distal ends ofthe tabs 45345 "are similarly provided with buttonholes 48; 48 'or otherfastenwere-meats; and; additional" buttonholes' 'or fastener elerearrangare formed in the adjacentcrotch 'pi'ece' porion spacedlaterauyeutwardsfrom the buttonholes48p4ti.

T The preferred construction of"the"crotchrpiece 22 "1s bst-seen' inFig.7, -and 'inclt1des=a l'owewor outer layer SZ' and an'fiipp'er orin'nerlayer53;'bethoflthe above described configuration; i disposedvinsuperposed relation Wit sp'ectto ea'chother 3 and" secured togetherabout the al edges' by' any suitable 'means. The=lower and YrS SZ and53' 'a're'. preferably fabricated-0f tween the lower and upperlayers-521M. 'fi3 i's an intermaterial itself twisted to form-a-filamentand then secured to themadipr oper. A-pair 0f flexible securing stripsand- 62,- -respectivelyrprovided-with--end butt0ns-63-and 64*and with aplurality of longitudinallyspaced buttonholes 65". and 66 F orotherappropriatefastener- -elements,

through the buttonholes 46, 46, and the buttons 40, 40 through thebuttonholes 47, 47; g

The napkin is preferably prepared by wrapping the pad 58 in a fragrantlyscented deodorizing tissue, 68, see Fig. 3, which is preferablyfabricated of soft, absorbent paper or the like. With the securing strip62 extending through the loop 60, the buttons 64, 64 are engaged in thebuttonholes 34, 34, respectively, to complete the condition of Fig. 3.If the pad 58 does not overlie the exposed portion of the liquidrepellent layer or lining 55, as illustrated, the securing strap 62 maybe adjusted by engaging one of the buttons 64 through one of thebuttonholes 65. This will of course adjust the pad longitudinally of thecrotch piece. The securing strip buttons 63 are similarly engagedthrough the front buttonholes 32, 32, and adjusted as required; and, thedepending end of the crotch piece is drawn forwardly to pass the buttons31, 31 through the buttonholes 48, 48, and the buttons 39, 39 throughthe buttonholes 49, 49. This will complete the condition illustrated inFigs. 4 and 5. It will be observed that the M-shaped crotch piece endextensions, and the spaced fastener elements, insure closure of thegarment crotch region while permitting ventilation thereof through thespaces between the fasteners.

When it is desired to employ the pantie garment of the instant inventionas a conventional pantie, as during periods free of menstruation, thecrotch piece 22a may be used. This crotch piece is similar to the firstdescribed crotch piece 22, being of elongated, specifically configuredcontour, but is not provided with the liquid resistant intermediatelayer or lining. That is, the crotch iece 22' has end tabs 44a, 44a and45a, 45a, corresponding to the end tabs 44, 44 and 45, 45; and, isprovided with buttonholes or other appropriate fastener elements 46a,46a, 47a, 47a, 48a, 48a and 49a, 49a, arranged in the same manner andcorresponding to the buttonholes 46, 46, 47, 47, 48, 48 and 49, 49. Thelower or outer layer 52a of the crotch piece 22a is substantiallyidentical to the lower or outer layer 52 of crotch piece 22, however theupper or inner layer 53a of the crotch piece 22a differs from the upperlayer 53 in that its central portion is not cut out. That is, the lowerand upper layers of the crotch piece 22:: are substantially identical,and secured in facing, superposed engagement with each other, as byperipheral stitching or other suitable securing means. The crotch piece22a may of course be employed, in the absence of the sanitary napkin, insubstantially the same manner as the crotch piece 22.

A further modification of the crotch piece 22 is illustrated at 22b inFigs. 14. That is, the sanitary garment, generally designated 2% inFigs. l012, includes an upper pantie section 2111 substantiallyidentical to the upper pantie section 21, and a crotch piece 22bsubstantially identical to the crotch piece 22, but with the addition ofleg shields or guards 69 and 7 0.

Thus, as best seen in Figs. 13 and 14, the crotch piece 22b has end tabs44b, 44b, and 45b, 45b, and is formed with buttonholes or other fastenerelements 46b, 46b, 47 [2, 47b, 48b, 48b, 49b and 49b. The intermediatecrotch piece layer or lining 55b is exposed through a central cutout5412 of the upper crotch piece layer 53b.

In the plan view of Fig. 13, the leg shields 69 and 70 are illustratedas extending laterally outwards from opposite side edges of the crotchpiece 22b, centrally thereof. More particularly, the leg shields 69 and70 are each fabricated of relatively soft, flexible sheet material,preferably of double thickness as seen in Fig. 14, and have their upperor inner ends stitched or otherwise secured to opposite side edges ofthe crotch piece. Further, relatively soft, preferably sponge-likebinding strips or tapes 71 and 72 are stitched or otherwise held fastalong the secured ends of the shields 69 and 70, respectively, and thecrotch piece edges on opposite sides of the exposed liner 55b.

The distal, unsecured ends of the leg shields 69 and 70 are providedwith elastic strips or garters 73 and 74, for a purpose appearingpresently. With the pantie top section 21b and crotch piece 221) inposition, see Fig. 10, the leg shields 69 and 70 will depend from thecrotch piece between the Wearers legs. The garters 73 and 74 may beplaced about the wearers legs to distend and maintain the shields eachin facing engagement with its respective leg. This of course willprevent rubbing, chaffing and other irritation of the legs during normalbody movements.

The sanitary napkin may also be employed in conjunction with the crotchpiece 22b, see Fig. 12, in substantially the same manner as describedhereinbefore in connection with Fig. 3. In addition, the crotch piece22a may also be employed with leg shields, for use during periods freefrom menstruation.

A further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 15,wherein a sanitary garment, generally designated 200 includes a modifiedupper pantie section 210 and a crotch piece 220, substantially identicalto the crotch piece 22. p

The garment 200 is particularly well suited to be worn over a foundationgarment or the like, and for use under relatively hot climaticconditions. That is, the upper pantie section 210 eliminates the needfor a body covering, and comprises a waistband 240, front suspenderstraps 25c, 25c, rear suspender straps 26c, 26c, and right and leftpartial leg bands 36c and 37c.

As in the first described form of the present invention, the waistband24c and the leg bands 36c and 370 are preferably fabricated of elastic,strip material. The suspender straps 25c and 260 depend, respectively,from spaced points of the central front and rear portions of theWaistband, terminating forwardly and rearwardly of the crotch region.The suspender straps are provided adjacent to but spaced from theirlower ends with fastener elements, such as buttons 31c, 31c and 33c,33c, corresponding to the buttons 31, 31 and 33, 33, and are furtherprovided in their end portions with fastener elements or buttonholes forreceiving the buttons 63 and 64.

A pair of right and left side straps 77 and 78, respectively, have theirupper ends secured by any suitable means to opposite side portions ofthe waistband 24c, and have their lower ends secured to intermediatepor' tions of the right and left partial leg bands 36c and 37c,respectively. On the ends of the partial leg bands 36c and 370 areprovided fastener elements 390 and 400 corresponding to the fastenerelements 39 and 40, for engagement in the crotch piece buttonholes 47and 49. It will be observed that the laterally disposed connectormembers 28 and 29 of the first described pantie section 21 areeliminated in the open, light weight construction of Fig..15.

It will now be understood that the sanitary garment construction of thepresent invention insures a correct and comfortable fit,-the suspenderstraps of the upper pantie section affording vertical support to thecrotch piece, and the securing strips being readily adjustable tomaintain the sanitary napkin in proper position. Further, the garmentmay be quickly and easily converted from everyday use to menstruationuse by merely interchanging crotch pieces, without removing the upper,main pantie section; and, napkins may also be changed simply, neatly andefficiently, without removing the upper pantie section. Of course, anextra or spare crotch piece may be folded to occupy but negligible spaceand conveniently carried in a handbag or pocket.

It will also be apparent that the instant invention completelyeliminates the use of pins, and moreover, does not require the use offastener elements in engagement with or facing toward the person of thewearer, thereby affording a maximum of comfort and safety.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides anall-purpose sanitary garment of the pantie type, and napkin for usetherewith which fully accomplish fiir inthrifle'cl objeetsgesndaarewdladapted' menses-pracconditions or: manufacture and use.

Amiou gh the present" invention ihas bcen 'described in some' deui'il"wayof illustration and example for p'urpasca of clarity" ofunderstanding, -it is'understood that certuin changes a'iidrnodificati'ons, such asthesub stitution of materials and e'qui'valentfastener elements may be made flithim'the spirit of the invention-and-sc'ope "ofrthe claims.

What is claimed is:

l; A" saiiitary=pantie c'omprising awaistband, a pair ofsiacedfrontsuspen'der straps depe'nding irom the central front'portionof said"waistband and terminating forwardly fifthe crotch regtoma air ofspaced rear suspender' 'straps ipendiflg from-the central back porti'onofsaid waistband and terminating rearwardly=' 'of the crotch region, apair ut pauial ieg safldsweenadapted mextend about the of one legof the-wearer and terminating snsmemhead aeem front and='rear s'u'spenderstraps, an Elongated erotch' piece' shaped 'to" conformably' engage thecrotch of the wearer, and releasable secoring'means on iid"'st!s4e'riderstraps and leg bands 1 and on opposite ends of siiideto'tchpiece" for-detachably securing the latter in position; a sanitarynapkin"seated-longitudinally on said crotch piece,-a=pair-of loops onopposite*ends* of-said ia'apltim -and a' securing strip extendingthrough-each of said loops, each" of -said' securingstrips beingprovided with means releasably interengageable with said securingmeans-to deta'ehably connect sa'id strips to theadjacent puir of saidsuspender' 'straps.

2. -A -sanitary" pantie comprising a'--wa'is'tba'nd,- a pair-of Spacedfront snspender straps depending-- from {the central front portion ofsaid waistband and t'erminatin'g forwardly or the crotch-region; a =pair'of 'spaed rear suspender straps tfipending 'irom -the rcentral backportion "of" said :sndaerminatin rearwardl of I the 2 much region,atater-ally disposed front conneetor *mernber extending and 'secnred;tothe lower' ends -ofsaid fsbiit' ubpehder-straps;alaterally'disposedrear conneetor member emeiidingmetweenand sec ured-to 'thelower ends of sfld rear suspender st'rapsg a partial rightlegband mg' itsioppositesecuredto the 'ri ghtw'a-rd ends of said firo'nt-and're'ar cnnector memb'ers;a partial left leg Milhavingitsoppositeends secure'd'to th'e leftward ends of-said front and rearcon-nector membersg an elongate crotch piece shaped to c'o'nformablyengage thecro'teh of the weurer; and =re1easab1e-= 's'ecuringmc'ans on saidl front Qid rear-connector 'rrier'nbersaild-{S'USp'tLndI%Slr3pS andon bppoitbends' of said' crotch 'p'ie'ce'fo'r detachably securing s 3.- rA esanitaryiepantie comprising a'waistbandyaripair of spaced front suspenderstrapsidependingfromithezcentral: tront 'porti'on of said waistbandtandterminatingt'forwardly of: the" crotch region, a pair of spacedneartsusen-nerstrapsdepending from thecentral baclc porti'on'of saidwaistband' and iterminating rearwardly of l the crotch region;alaterally Ydisposed front connecting member extending"betweemand securedto the lower" endstofi said f-ront su'sp'ender straps, alaterally'disposed rear connector memb'er' extending b'etwe'enand'secured tothe lower ends of said rear suspender straps, a partialrightleg band having :its oppositeends secured to the rightward ends-ofsaid fro'nt and mean-connector members, a partial lefti'leg band havingrit-s opposite ends secured to the' leftward ends of said' front andrear connector-members, a fiexiblesheet covering 1 having its upperIedge portion secured along said waistband and havingits loweredge.-'porti0n secured along" said leg bands and connector members'tocover thelower torso portion of :the'wearer, and elongate crotch pieceshaped to conformably' engage the crotch of. the wearer,'releasablesecuring means on the opposite ends of said front and rear connector:members and on the opposite-iends-ofsaid crotch piece fordetachablysecuring the latter'in position extending between said connectormembers, a pair-"of laterally spaced longitudinally extending tabson'each end of saidvcrotch piece overlying theportions ofsaid coveringadjacent'toithecrotch region, and additional releasable securingmeansion-sa-id Suspender straps and the i distal "ends of -saidtabs-'for detachably securing the latter,in said'overlying relation.

-4;!Aisanitary pantie accordingto claim 3 wherein said connectormembers' extend"laterally :beyond the lower ends lofasaid suspenderzstraps, said first named-securing means thus beingispa'ced"from-secondtnamed securing means to-aiford ventilation to the crotch region of thewearer.

5 ifiA 'sanitarypantie according to claim. 3, in :combination' with asanitary napkin-seated longitudinallyon said crotch piece, as pair ofloopslon opposite ends of' sa'id napkin,and*-securing strips, extendingthrough each of said loops, each ofsaida securing strips beingdetachably secured-mean intermediate'portion of the adjacentconnectoramernber to. detachably secure said napkinin position.

6; 'Asanitarynapkinaccording to claim 5, said crotch piece :having itscentral portion: underlying said napkin fabricated of fiexible,:liquidresistant material, :the remainder ofsaidcrotch piece beingfabricated'of relatively softgwvoven material.

"References :Cited in the file 'of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS979,730 "Argo Dec. 27, -l9l0 1,300,510 Steele Apr. 15,1919

. FOREIGN' I PATENTS 497,591 GreatlBritain Dec. 121, 1.938

